4. Gallstones and Gallbladder Contractions
Cholesterol or bilirubin deposits formed in the gallbladder are known as gallstones. The function of the gallbladder is to produce enzymes to aid in digestion. Gallstones contain bilirubin, bile salts, or cholesterol and can be tiny, or the size of a plum.
Gallstones form when the gallbladder can’t process excess concentrated bile or bilirubin. The risk factors for developing gallstones include; diabetes, obesity, as well as diets high in trans-saturated fat. Gallstones have the potential to disrupt the flow of bile to the GI tract, producing symptoms of pain, vomiting, and nausea, followed by a yellowing of the skin and eyeballs known as jaundice.
Medications are used to treat gallstones and break them down so they can freely pass through the gallbladder. Turmeric is effective in treating the symptoms of gallstones, but it can cause gallbladder contractions, initiating the rapid emptying of the organ and potential toxic shock. Gallbladder contractions make turmeric a dubious supplement for anyone living with gallbladder issues.